Where Art Thou Floral Vegan Docs?

I have a bit of a shoe obsession. I LOVE shoes. Some might argue that there is a limited selection for vegans, but that's anything but the case. I'm somewhat of a habitual vegan shoe collector. There's the thrill of the chase finding a new pair. I especially enjoy hunting down a vegan version of leather shoes style. My latest hunt is for a vegan floral pair of Dr. Martens. Last year Dr. Martens came out with a vegan line of their 1460, 1461, 5027 styles in black and cherry red.

They also have a few styles made with canvas, including their "Page" style. Most of the websites that carry the"Page" floral docs listed the boots as "Floral print canvas upper. Man Made Sole." When I first saw them in store, I immediately wanted a pair. It was a good thing they didn't have them in my size, or I probably would have bought a pair. Strangely enough, the shoe didn't list any leather on their sticker, so I thought I was good.  

When I got home and started googling. I wasn't convinced, so I contacted Dr. Martens and they confirmed that unfortunately none of their floral designs are vegan. Hopefully with enough demand, they'll come out with some floral vegan styles, but in the meantime we have to think outside the box.

In terms of quality, I don't know how durable the vegan alternatives are, so these floral versions are more of a stylish alternative. If you're looking for the durability of Dr Martens, I'd go with their red or black vegan colors. Here's what I found:

C Label Alexis boots. Available on Amazon, DSW, GoJane, ModCloth, Plasticland, and YMCA. 

Big Buddah Amber Boots available on Delias.com. Not my favorite, but I do love Big Buddah. Their Wylan cowboy boots are a staple in my closet. 

The Fanciful / The Finer Things Combat Boots available on ModCloth and Plasticland

These "Lady Godiva: Becky" combat boots available though YMCA are my favorite. They're listed as "Floral printed synthetic upper, sole stitching detail & gum rubber outsole." I also found them on Bare Feet Shoes where they're listed as "All Man Made Materials." Win!

For more of my vegan shoe finds, follow my Vegan Shoe Whore board on pinterest.

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Where Art Thou Floral Vegan Docs?

Fur Is Back At INTERMIX

I am so disgusted at the vanity and lack of compassion. INTERMIX is now selling rabbit, fox, and raccoon fur. 

Please do not shop at INTERMIX and ask all of your friends to do the same.

Sign the petition and spread the word! The animals need you! Change.org/intermix!

For more on the INTERMIX campaign, visit Fur Free LA's website: furfreela.com/intermix

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Fur Is Back At INTERMIX

The Vegan Vampire

When you first go vegan, all of your senses and emotions are heightened. Whether it's from your diet giving you a spike in energy, discovering the abundance of animal cruelty, or being teased by disapproving omnivores. Strangely enough, I found similar parallels with vampire fiction and veganism. 

Vegans are the opposite of blood suckers, but the ideas behind "new bloods" (new vampires) is somewhat similar. Most importantly in the way we deal with the rest of the world. New vampires cannot control their urges. When I was a newbie, I was very aggressive when dealing with omnis. I saw someone eating a burger and all I wanted to do is run over and lecture the shit out of them. In time I learned how to control my self and not flip out on people. Occasionally I slip up, but I'm human. 

You learn to live with your knowledge and "powers" and eventually have more control over them. The longer you're vegan, the more layers of veganism you discover. It goes beyond ingredients on food labels to more complex issues like palm oil and parent companies. The urges of a newbie might calm down, but they never completely go away. At least for those that stick with it. 

On that note, never trust an ex vegan. They must feel soooo much better eating buffalo wings again. You'll only get "sick" if you don't do it right. Cutting things out without replacing them will make you sick. Most people have lousy eating habits to begin with, why else would this country spend more per person on healthcare than any other industrialized nation in the world? You aren't born with type *two* diabetes, you eat it. Funny how people come back to me for health / weight loss advice. What's wrong, love? The chicken breast not working out for ya? Maybe it's because grass fed beef has the same amount of fat as skinless chicken... 

Another parallel. Vampires have their "maker" as a life coach. I do believe that the vegans with a support system or a vegan veteran to turn to for advice have more luck transitioning and sticking with it. It's hard being alone. 

Maybe I've been watching too many television shows and movies, but doesn't beet juice look disturbingly similar to blood? Plant killers! ;)

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The Vegan Vampire